**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 2267 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on February 12th, 2026, regarding bird-hit cases at airports in India. It outlines measures taken by the Government and airport authorities to mitigate bird-hit risks. The response includes details of regulations, plans, and committees involved in managing wildlife hazards at airports.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Regulatory Framework & Guidelines**
* The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued regulations and guidelines for the management of potential wildlife hazards at licensed airports.
* **Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMP)**
* Aerodrome operators of licensed airports have developed WHMPs.
* These plans establish procedures to identify the main causes of bird-hit incidents.
* Mitigation measures are employed as per the WHMP, including deploying bird detection and deterrence technologies.
* Aerodrome operators conduct studies to assess potential hazards and take mitigating actions.
* **Airfield Environment Management Committees (AEMC)**
* AEMCs are constituted at airports to identify sources of wildlife hazards.
* They are responsible for taking necessary steps to control these hazards.
* **Coordination & Compliance**
* Regular meetings are conducted by DGCA with State Authorities and aerodrome operators to address issues related to wildlife presence around airports.
* Compliance with DGCA regulations and guidelines is ensured through annual surveillance inspections of the aerodromes.
* **Bird-hit Statistics**
* The total number of confirmed bird hit incidents reported at airports during the last five years (2021-2025) is provided as an annexure to the document.
* 2021: 775
* 2022: 1131
* 2023: 1371
* 2024: 1278
* 2025: 1782
**Impact Analysis**
**Aerodrome Operators of Licensed Airports**
* **Impact:** Responsible for developing and implementing Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMP), conducting hazard assessments, and taking mitigation actions.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to DGCA regulations, identify causes of bird-hit incidents, deploy mitigation measures, conduct studies to assess potential hazards, and participate in meetings with DGCA and State Authorities.
**State Authorities**
* **Impact:** Involved in taking necessary action on issues related to wildlife presence in and around airports.
* **Action Required:** Participate in regular meetings with DGCA and aerodrome operators to address wildlife-related issues.
**Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for issuing regulations and guidelines for wildlife hazard management at airports and ensuring compliance.
* **Action Required:** Issue and enforce regulations and guidelines, conduct annual surveillance inspections of aerodromes, and conduct regular meetings with State Authorities and aerodrome operators.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulator responsible for issuing regulations and guidelines for wildlife hazard management at licensed airports.
Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP): A plan developed by aerodrome operators to identify causes of bird-hit incidents and implement mitigation measures.
Airfield Environment Management Committees (AEMC): Committees constituted at airports to identify wildlife hazards and take steps to control them.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for addressing questions related to bird-hit incidents at airports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2267
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
BIRD-HIT CASES AT AIRPORTS
2267. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of the total number of bird-hit cases reported at airports across the country
during the last five years, year and airport-wise;
(b) whether the Government and airport authorities have taken any measures to mitigate
bird- hit risks and ensure aviation safety in light of the rising number of incidents;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the causes behind such
incidents and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government plans to adopt best practices and models to mitigate this
problem and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): Details are attached as Annexure.
(b) to (e): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued regulations and
guidelines for management of potential wildlife hazard at licensed airports.
Aerodrome operator of licensed airports have developed Wildlife Hazard Management
Plan (WHMP) & established procedures to identify main causes of bird-hit incidents.
As per Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP), mitigations measures are employed
including deployment of bird detection and deterrence technologies etc. to mitigate causes
of bird-hit incidents. Further, aerodrome operator carry out the study to assess the
potential hazards for taking mitigation actions so as to reduce such incidents.
Further, Airfield Environment Management Committees (AEMC) are constituted at
airports to identify sources of wildlife hazards and to take necessary steps to control the
same.Regular meetings are conducted with State Authorities along with aerodrome operators
by DGCA for taking necessary action on issues related to wildlife presence in and around
airports.
Compliance of the regulation and guidelines by DGCA, is ensured through annual
surveillance inspections of the aerodromes.
******Annexure
Bird-hit incidents reported at airports during last five years (2021-2025):
Total no. of confirmed bird hit
Year
incidents
2021 775
2022 1131
2023 1371
2024 1278
2025 1782